Page 35 of Kingdom of Briars and Roses (Cursed Fae Courts #1)

Chapter Thirty-Five

Aurelia

T he heavy doors of Callan’s study creaked open as I stepped inside, not waiting for his permission. I was too angry for niceties, and the quiet of the palace felt suffocating after what I’d just seen. The image of the fae, drained and weakened, still burned in my mind, and every step toward Callan filled me with a fury that made my magic hum beneath my skin.

Rydian’s words had hurt, but I was done hiding. I would do this with or without his help. He trailed behind me now, the loyal hound watching my back as his brother had ordered.

We hadn’t spoken a word since we’d left the donation center.

Callan stood by the hearth, a drink in hand, his golden eyes fastened on me as I entered. He didn’t seem surprised by my arrival—maybe he’d already gotten word about where I’d been.

Rydian followed me into the room, and when Callan’s gaze flicked to his half-brother, his eyes narrowed.

“We need to talk,” I said, my voice sharper than usual. But I didn’t care. Not anymore .

“Wait outside.” Callan’s voice was clipped as he waved his brother toward the door.

Rydian didn’t move, and I tensed.

“Is there something else?” Callan asked, lifting a brow.

“As a matter of fact, I think I’ll stay.” Rydian crossed his arms and planted his feet.

Callan glared at him. “You will leave us, or I will mention to dear old Dad that your blood vow needs refreshing.”

Rydian’s lip curled. “Keep your fucking hands to yourself,” he snarled; then he turned and stalked out.

Blood vow?

The door clicked shut, and Callan sighed, setting down his glass. “I assume this is about the donation center?”

I shoved aside all thoughts of Rydian and faced Callan.

“Of course it’s about the donation center,” I snapped, crossing the room in quick, angry steps. “You never told me your land was cursed like mine.”

“I told you Heliconia had not left us untouched. And that we had taken steps to counter her efforts.”

“These are the measures in place you mentioned? When were you going to tell me?”

“When it became relevant.”

I huffed. “You spoke of honesty and then you lie—about this? Your people are dying. Their magic is being drained like they’re nothing. How can you allow this?”

His jaw flexed, and for a moment, I saw something flash in his eyes—regret, guilt, maybe even shame. But it was gone just as quickly, replaced by the unaffected charm he always wore so well.

“It’s not that simple.”

I stopped in front of him, anger simmering just beneath the surface. “Then make it simple for me. Tell me why we’re not doing something to stop this.”

Callan turned away from me, running a hand through his hair. “For what it’s worth, I’m against the magic donations,” he said. “I never wanted this. It’s my father’s decree, not mine.”

“Then challenge him,” I said, my frustration boiling over. “You’re the crown prince. You have power. You’re going to be king one day— act like it.”

“You think it’s that easy?” he hissed. “You think I can just walk into the throne room and tell the Autumn king what to do? My father doesn’t listen to reason. He only sees what he wants to see—and right now, that’s a kingdom too weak to face Heliconia without sacrifice.”

“That’s not sacrifice—that’s slavery and murder,” I said, my voice shaking with disbelief. “You’re draining your people to the point of death. And for what? To pretend you’re not as vulnerable as you really are?”

Callan’s eyes darkened, and for a moment, I thought I saw fear there—real fear. “You don’t understand. My father doesn’t ask . He commands. And if I step out of line, he’ll strip me of everything. My position, my magic, my future. And then what will happen to you, to Sevanwinds? To the alliance?”

I blinked, caught off guard by his admission. It hit me all at once—Callan wasn’t just unwilling to act, he was afraid . Afraid of his father. Of losing the power he’d worked his whole life to secure. He was a child still yearning for his father’s favor, no matter what it cost to get it.

“Callan…” My voice softened, but the anger still churned inside me. “You can’t just stand by and wait for things to change. You’re the future king—if you won’t stop him, who will?”

His gaze met mine, hard and unyielding. “We can’t afford to fight two wars. My father’s methods are wrong, but right now, Heliconia is the real threat. We defeat her first; then we deal with this. We must stay focused.”

“That’s what I’m trying to do,” I snapped, the heat of my magic rising with my frustration. “But you’re not giving me the resources you promised. How am I supposed to protect my people if I don’t even have the tools to break their curse?”

“Your people?” He huffed. “Is that all that matters to you then?”

“Of course not. I meant your kingdom and mine. Our people,” I corrected.

But Callan’s mouth tightened. I could practically see his ego rearing back. “I intend to help you break the curse. But you have to do something for us first.”

“What?”

“We’re building a weapon. Something capable of destroying Heliconia with one blast.”

“What could possibly do that? The only thing powerful enough is?—”

“Magic.”

I exhaled. There it was. I’d been waiting for this since the moment I’d learned of the donation centers. The moment when Callan would ask—or pretend to ask—for me to contribute. And if I said no, what then? They’d forcibly escort me down and drain me of my magic too?

Did they expect me to offer Summer fae magic? Or did Duron know what I truly possessed? I swallowed hard, my throat tight with fear.

“Absolutely not,” I said, as haughty as a princess should be over such a thing.

Callan’s brow furrowed. “Why not? You’re the heir to the Summer Court. You’re supposed to have the power of the sun at your fingertips. That would be more than enough to activate our weapon.”

His confusion disarmed me. So I decided to try for the truth—or some version of it. “Because.” I swallowed hard. “I don’t have that kind of magic. ”

“Yes, you do.” Callan grabbed my arm, pulling me close, his eyes blazing with determination. “The ward you put around Sunspire when we left. That kind of magic is beyond anything I’ve ever seen.”

Was that jealousy flaring in his golden gaze?

My pulse raced in my ears, and I pulled away from him. “I can’t give you what you’re asking.”

“Then we’re out of options,” he said coldly. “And your people will remain where they are, trapped in sleep.”

I stiffened. “There has to be another way.”

“I saved your life, but my help doesn’t come free.” He ran a hand through his hair, frustration evident in every tense movement. “You owe us something in return. If you can’t give it, there’s nothing I can do.”

“Why bother letting us marry at all if he thinks I’m so weak?”

Callan glanced away but not before the guilt in his eyes sent the truth leaping between us.

“He plans to do to me what he would have done to Heliconia,” I said, the breath sucked from my chest at the realization. He’d see me wed to Callan and then kill me before the ink was dried on our marriage contract.

Gods.

“My father wants power,” Callan said, his voice distant in my ears. “He’s a politician who will use whatever resources he has available to strengthen his holdings.”

“And I’m a resource.” Not a person. Just something to be used. I was going to be sick. “The other courts will never ally with you when they find out.”

“He doesn’t intend to kill you, Aurelia.”

“Right. That would cut off his supply.” He meant to drain me slowly. To keep me alive as long as there was magic to drain from my veins.

Callan didn’t bother to argue. “He’ll wait until after the party so that you and I can woo the other courts. They’ll come here and see how healthy our land is. How strong we are. And they’ll join us, fight with us.”

I stared at him, disappointed and angry. “That’s it? You continue to beat the dead horse of alliances with the other courts? That plan failed seven years ago, and you’ve come up with nothing better?”

He glared at me. “You have no idea the work I’ve put in to win them over,” he snapped. “Rumor has it, the Midnight Court has an army more than triple yours and mine put together. If we can bring them to our side, we’ll have the numbers and the strength. Their magic alone?—”

“The Midnight Court hates everyone,” I snapped. “Out of all the courts, they’re the least likely to help us. Besides, their magic is probably just as affected as ours considering their land borders Concordia. I’m sure Heliconia?—”

“You know nothing!” he roared. His cheeks blew out with heavy breaths and his face flushed red.

I stared at him, stunned into silence at his outburst.

He took several steadying breaths and straightened his collar. With a quick smooth of his hair, he spoke again, his voice deceivingly calm. “I have to work within the parameters my father gives me. This strategy is our best and one we’ve worked hard to ensure. The Midnight Court has sent word they’ll attend our wedding. As will high-ranking members of the other courts. We’ll use our alliance to win them over. That is our best path forward.”

I didn’t bother trying to argue anymore.

He’d clearly spent years developing this weak plan. No amount of logic or sense was going to steer him away now. In fact, all he wanted from me—clearly—was to stand silently beside him like the trophy I was.

My disgust must’ve shown because Callan eyed me and added, “If you want more than that for yourself—for your people—you know what you have to do.”

His tone wasn’t friendly, and I found that almost refreshing. No more fake charm, no more games. He’d finally let the mask drop. At least, I knew where we stood.

“I’m sorry,” he said, as if he’d read my darkening thoughts. “For what it’s worth, I wanted to be your friend. Maybe even more than friends if you’d let me?—”

“I’ll find a way,” I said, unable to bear the sound of his next words. “With or without your father’s help, I will save my people. And you’ll regret not doing more to save yours.”

His expression turned pained. “Aurelia …”

But I was already walking toward the door, my heart pounding with determination. I couldn’t wait for Callan, for Duron, for anyone.

In the hall, Rydian stood against the far wall. He met my gaze, and I knew he’d heard. Darkness flashed in his depthless gaze, a trove of shadows and secrets that seemed to reach for all the hidden parts of my own heart.

For once, I didn’t bother to hide what he might find there. I also didn’t look back to see what he made of his discovery.